Tricorne Hats & Terrifying Tentacles: Ghostrunner Dev's New Napoleonic Soulslike is a Wild Brew
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Ghostrunner developer One More Level is diving into a weird and wonderful new genre with *Valor Mortis*, a first-person Soulslike set in an alt-history Napoleonic era riddled with supernatural plagues and squelchy bayonets – promising a unique blend of brutal combat and atmospheric horror.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're just trawling through the endless digital scroll of Gamescom news, half-expecting another re-re-master of something you played to death in 2008, or maybe just another battle royale with slightly different hats? Well, hold onto your tricorne hats, mate, because One More Level, the absolute wizards behind the blisteringly fast and frankly quite brutal *Ghostrunner*, just pulled a proper rabbit out of the supernatural hat with their next game: *Valor Mortis*.
Now, when I first heard 'Napoleonic Soulslike,' my digital eyebrows did a curious little dance. It sounds like a magic spell gone gloriously wrong, doesn't it? Like someone accidentally mixed their historical drama potion with a dash of cosmic horror and a generous slug of 'you're gonna die a lot.' And honestly, that's precisely why it's got my internal enchantment meter buzzing.
This isn't just your average historical romp set in 19th-century Eastern Europe – oh no, that would be far too mundane for a game from these chaps. We're talking about an *alt-history* version of Napoleon's conquest, where instead of just, you know, conquering Europe in the usual bloody fashion, he’s apparently stumbled into a full-blown supernatural plague. It’s the kind of scenario where you just know someone opened the wrong forbidden grimoire or disturbed an ancient cursed burial ground. A proper cosmic horror cocktail, if you ask me.
You play as William, a soldier of the Grande Armée who clearly didn't get the memo about staying dead. He’s brought back to life from his battlefield grave, and not in a 'lovely, warm cuppa and a sit down' kind of way. This resurrection comes courtesy of a mysterious substance called Nephtoglobin, which, fair dinkum, sounds like something I'd accidentally brew in my digital alchemy lab, then immediately regret. It grants William otherworldly powers, which is handy, but it also turns his former allies into grotesque, shambling abominations. Talk about a bad trade-off – 'Here, have some powers, but all your mates are now fleshy horrors. Enjoy!'
The trailer, from what I've gathered, is a whole mood. Think snow-sodden misery meets immaculate military tailoring, with a generous side of 'squelchy bayonets.' Yeah, you read that right. Squ-el-chy. It paints a picture that's equal parts grim historical fiction and chilling dark fantasy. While some of the enemy designs might feel a bit familiar if you've spent too much time in the twisted worlds of FromSoftware – big, freaky hands, you know the drill – the atmosphere and environmental design of *Valor Mortis* really stand out. It’s cold, it’s dreary, and there's a certain unsettling beauty to it all. And, let's be honest, decapitating zombies in long-john underwear with a swift flourish of your sword? That's a mental image that sticks with you.
Combat-wise, we’re talking about a promising mix of dual-wielding, ranged weapons, and special abilities known as 'Transmutations.' Now, I’m a complete sucker for a good gun-and-sword combo – I still haven’t truly satisfied that particular itch since my time with *Like a Dragon: Ishin!* – so the idea of bayonet charges mixed with supernatural zaps and a bit of pistol action? My inner chaotic wizard is already doing a happy dance. Given One More Level’s pedigree with *Ghostrunner*, where every slash and dash felt incredibly precise and impactful, there’s a real hope that *Valor Mortis* will nail that satisfyingly brutal Soulslike combat, but with their own unique, lightning-fast spin.
So, why does this matter beyond just another game announcement in a sea of them? Well, it's a bold move from One More Level. They're stepping out of the ultra-fast, parkour-slasher comfort zone they perfected with *Ghostrunner* and venturing into a genre known for its deliberate pacing and punishing difficulty. It shows a willingness to experiment, to genuinely try something different, rather than just cashing in on a proven formula. In an industry often accused of playing it safe, that’s a refreshing breath of smoky, Napoleonic-era air.
And the kicker? There's a closed playtest coming up in the next few weeks, which you can sign up for on the game's official website. Always a good sign when developers let us regular folks get our hands on it early, rather than just blasting PR buzzwords from orbit. It means they’re confident enough to gather real player feedback, which is always a bonus. *Valor Mortis* is set to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, so we’ve got a bit of a wait, but honestly, for something this intriguing, I reckon it might just be worth the patience.
While the gaming landscape is often littered with 'revolutionary' claims that are anything but, *Valor Mortis* genuinely looks like it’s trying something... different. A historical gorefest mixed with dark fantasy and the punishing combat we’ve come to love (and occasionally hate-scream at) in Soulslikes. It’s got my curious gears whirring, that’s for sure. Let's hope it’s more magical breakthrough and less accidental portal to a dimension of pure corporate PR.
Tags: Soulslike, Action RPG, Indie Game, Gamescom, Historical Fantasy
Original article: Polygon